The No.20 ranked University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team defeated the Wayne State College (NE) Wildcats 66-43 today in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) matchup to start off their second home weekend in a row.

Halftime: UMD (29) - WSC (19)

The Bulldogs started the day with a 10 point run, highlighted by a Taya Hakamaki three pointer, leading up to three minutes left in the first quarter. UMD held the Wildcats to just seven points, giving them a 17-7 lead going into the second. An eight point run by WSC to start quarter two would bring the game within two but another eight unanswered points by the Bulldogs would secure them a 10 point lead going into the halftime break. 

UMD shot 10-30 (33.3%) from the field and 6-9 (66.6%) from the free throw line through the first 20 minutes. 11 personal fouls from the Wildcats would help UMD secure some insurance to hold onto the lead from beginning.  

Final: UMD (66) - WSC (43)

The Bulldog defense would hold WSC at bay throughout the third and keep at least a six point lead at all times while trading buckets back and forth. UMD would outscore the Wildcats 14-2 through the last five minutes of the third and first minute of the fourth quarter and keep WSC from scoring back to back shots from the field to secure their first win of the weekend. 

UMD would end the day shooting 25-59 (42.4%) from the field 13-18 (72.2%) from the free throw line. The Bulldogs' 50 rebounds and six blocks compared to WSC's 33 rebounds and one block would help UMD collect 40 points in the paint and secure them an advantage that kept them the lead for 39 total minutes.

Top Performers

Sophomore forward Lexi Karge is named today's Player of the Game, shooting 5-10 (50%) from the field and 3-3 (100%) from the free throw line while also collecting nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Senior guard Taya Hakamaki led the Bulldogs in scoring, shooting 4-10 (40%) from the field with one from three point range and 7-8 (87.5%) from the charity line for 16 points.

Looking Ahead

Women's Basketball returns to Romano Gym tomorrow afternoon to take on the Augustana University Vikings. The action for the Bulldogs will tip off at 4:00 PM.